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What should I do if my Bangkok Bank account is frozen due to the need for a resident certificate?

Sep 3, 2025
8 months ago
Keith **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good evening could I get some advice regarding this Bangkok Bank account frozen please? Today went to the branch I opened my account which I opened in person I had passport with retirement visa Thai car and motorcycle license plus my sim card verification they said no to me they want a resident certificate as well now this is after I drove from Sarakham to Bangkok. I approached the visa agent I use on occasion to get me a resident certificate they said no can do as it’s only valid for Pattaya I’m honestly confused and at a loss to what to do next to be fair and suggestions welcome Keith
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is facing difficulties with their Bangkok Bank account being frozen due to a lack of a resident certificate. They were informed by the bank that the certificate is required, despite having a retirement visa and other valid identification. After seeking assistance from their visa agent, they learned that the certificate is only valid for Pattaya, leaving them unsure of how to proceed. The comments provide various suggestions and insights, including obtaining a TM30, contacting immigration for a Certificate of Residence, and the need for a locally valid resident certificate.
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Phil ******
@Ke***
if you live in Bangkok use an agent here. Live in Pattaya usecsn agent there.

But the underlying question is what type of visa do you have as I think that's the real problem
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Keith **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
hi mate I’m on retirement visa I’ve been to the agent I normally use for some matters I live with my girlfriend and don’t have a rental agreement yellow book I’m going to see the agent again this afternoon see what they can do to help if anything
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Keith **********
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Gianpaolo ******
It's shameful what's happening! I can understand that they can block your online transactions! But how can they freeze your bank account? For what reason? What do the Thai government ass-kissers (there are many in this group) think?
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Brandon ************
@Gianpaolo *****
I think it has nothing to do with the government. This is a single bank's policy. Banks are private businesses and can set whatever policies they want. Speak with your feet and go to a different bank. Bangkok Bank has proven they can't be trusted.
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Gianpaolo ******
@Brandon ***********
Banks are private institutions and are subject to private law, but they perform a public interest function, so the government should intervene when they engage in unfair practices! This is a dangerous precedent, because if the government doesn't intervene, other banks, or all of them, could engage in the same unfair practices! Today, everything is computerized. At least give customers the opportunity to resolve the problem at any bank branch, not just where they opened their current account! This is just a ploy to stall and keep customers' money for as long as possible! And then there's the driver's license! So, someone who doesn't have a driver's license because they're disabled or too old to renew it can't unfreeze their current account?
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Gianpaolo ******
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Phil ******
@Gianpaolo *****
yep its bad
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Phil ******
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Hans-Georg ******
You see that you are working with totally incompetent bank staff. It is very bad for Thailand.
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Phil ******
@Hans-Georg *****
no its kaw here
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Phil ******
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Matts *************
Get a room in the province where your account is

Get a copy of the tm30

Bring that to immigration for a COR
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Peter **********
@Matts ************
Exactly. Book a hotel room for 30 days or so. Get them to provide a TM30. Go to immi to get the residence certificate, fix the bank problem and cancel the remaining hotel reservation.

Done.

Life goes on.
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Peter **********
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Urs **************
I didnt have a problem because I can show TM 30 from same place where the bank branch is. The banks have to freeze any accounts that don’t match with the rules, also when people don’t have the 800‘000 baht on the account. Its all well known rules, I don’t see any new rules. The only change is that the banks have to strictly check. 30% of accounts don’t fulfill the requirements
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Pete *******
You get a resident certificate from the Immigration Office where your TM30 is filed.
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Jeffrey ****************
I'm glad I withdrew all my money just in time before they froze my account, can we really trust these banks in Thailand? 🇹🇭
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Pete **********
Absolutely not. Id rather spend the money for an agent. After this, ill never leave money in a Thai bank for any extended period. It goes in and comes out as cash almost as fast. I only leave in what I need for my mostly consistent monthly bills, rent, utilities etc . I have 5k baht in my frozen Bangkok bank. Its been frozen over 2 weeks now. In that time I already got a new account elsewhere.
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Jeffrey ****************
@Pete *********
I'm going to take your advise when I return. Whom do you recommend as a agent? What bank do you use now?
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Jeffrey ****************
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Aikins *******
Contact
@Fatboy's ******************************************
. They might be able to assist with the RC.
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Jay *******
What does only valid for pattaya mean? A residence certificate should be valid for wherever you live.
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Nongnuch ********
@Jay ******
an updated certificate of residence should match the adress the account was opened originally. Only when you move to a different location, you can visit the bank branch in the new location using a COR from the Immigration responsible for the new location in order to change the bank in the new location into being your new main branch
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Jay *******
@Nongnuch *******
an updated certificate should not match the address he opened the account with if he moved. I had to update my address with a residence certificate and my new lease agreement in this latest round of account freezing. My certificate of residence obviously didn't match the address that I opened the account with since I had moved.
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Nongnuch ********
@Jay ******
is what I am saying - if you already have moved (changed) your main branch from the old to a new location, the residence certificate won't match the old address any more. But then I don't see why the bank would not accept the new address
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Nongnuch ********
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Nongnuch ********
You hide info from us. Where did you open the bank account, where is your main branch? Bangkok, Pattaya or Maha Sarakham ?
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Urs **************
@Nongnuch *******
and where is the resisidence..?
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Urs **************
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Michael *******
Its a nightmare! I am in uk for a while. Nothing i can do before returning. Phoned many times. Cant do anything until return 🙄
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Steve ******
@Michael ******
yes your correct I spoke to some at bangkok bank because I live in sakon nakhon and have now got to travel to pattaya and she told me there is people that have returned to the uk for whatever reason and they've got to go to the branch where the account was opened 🙉🙉
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Nick ************
@Michael ******
exactly the same for me and it could affect my next Visa extension. As soon as I get back BB is over for me. And if, for any reason, you are unable to return to Thailand the money is gone!
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Michael *******
@Nick ***********
your money will be safe.
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Nick ************
@Michael ******
some people have been told that they have to go to the main branch in Bangkok. All the documents to get accounts unfrozen are processed there.
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Nick ************
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